&nnect 8 Portesbery Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3TA 01276 24 210 11 info@connectcounselling.org.uk www.connectcounselling.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1042852 Counselling Service Trustees, Annual Report for the period from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 Objectives and Actlvltles Our charitable objects are THE RELIEF OF PERSONS RESIDENT IN CAMBERLEY AND THE SURROUNDING AREAWHOARESUFFERING FROM MENTALOR EMOTIONAL STRESS IN ONE OR MORE OFTHE FOLLOWING WAYS: (I) BY THE PROVISION OFA COUNSELLING SERVICE IN A CHRISTIAN CONTEXT; {II> BY PROVIDING SUPPORT AND SUPERVISION FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN COUNSELLING ON BEHALF OF THE TRUST FUND AND THE GENEFIAL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY: AND11111 BY PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL TRAINING AND STUDY FACILITIES FOR THOSE CHRISTIANS INVOLVED IN COUNSELLING ON BEHALF OF THE TRUST FUND AND THE GENERAL COMMUNITY. We articulate our mission In the local 8rea as being'to help those whos& mental heaifh 8ndgeneral life challenges 8re preventing them fmm livingfulfilling lives" Sum￿a￿￿' We have provided affordable and accessible professional counselling to individual adults, irrespective of gender, sexu81 orientation, religion or ethnic origin. Our counsellors have provided over 2600 sessions in the financi81 year 2024- 2025. This is an increase of more than 40% over the previous financialyear. This capacity increase has been brought about by a significant recrultment of 8ddition8l counsellors, from 25 at the beginning of Aprll to 37 at the end of March (with 8 low of 23 counsellors In June). All our counsellors give of thelr time 8s volunteers. Duringthis yearwe have had a total of 47 individual counsellors volunteer for some or all the year, 37 of whom were still counselling at the end of the fiscal year. One counsellor retired after giving more than 25 years, service to Connect! We have also increased our number of welcome volunteers to 15" they help to staff reception, answering the door and telephone. We benefitted from other voluntary support on an ad-hoc basis. The trustees are deeply grateful for all their support. Achievements and Performance Connect has a long-term outstanding reputation in the surrounding area for the professional counselling services it offers. We also have an excellent reputation with local counsellingtraining organisations. and we have no shortage of counsellors in advanced training who wish to do placetnents with us. This year we typically had 50% of our counsellors on their placement and 500/0 more experienced counsellors. by far the majority of whom have stayed after their placement. This depth of experience allows us to support extremely vulnerable clients with complex trauma. The organisation has been through a period of significanttransformation this financial year. As was reported in Last ye8r's report, the year started with a team of employed staff running the organisation, the longest serving employee having completed eight months, and the other three (including the then-interim CEO) appointed within the previous 3 months. Between them they were only 1.6 fulltime equivalent IFTE) staff. This team have put In place systems, processes and capacity to significantly expand the number of annual sessions we can provide, and therebythe number of individuals whose lives we cgn help improve. In order to support this expansion, the headcount increased to 1.8 FTE. A part of this work was to urgently introduce an affordable fee structure for clients, which commenced in Q1. This has been a period of significant change for the organisation, and we are very pleased that no- one h8s left the organisation due tothe changes. Those volunteers who have left, have done so for person81 re8sons le.g. retirement, reloc8tion or ill-healthl, and no employees have left; our Operations M8nager was on maternity leave for a signrfic£nt amount of this year, working hard with her son. Flnanclal Review Furtherto the very serious financial crisis reported at the end of the previous fin8nci8l year, the priority this year has been on income generation, with a relentless focus on cash flow. The fee introduction, comblned with expansion of c8pacity, S8W 8 threefold incre8se in client income, from £17.6K to £53K in a single ye8r. Thetrustees are very grateful to the team for all the hard work that has gone on to achieve this: it is no mean fe8tl Last year the trustees reported that all areas of Income were down. alongside a significant increase in costs, resulting in the £34K deficlt. Thls yearwe c8n report that income is up £31.7K, and expenditure 18 only up £3.8K, despite the very slgnlflcant expansion of service. Some of the most significant income differences were: client Income Is up £35K, Individu81 donations up £14K, and grants down £6.5K. The following table shows the key data over the past 7 years. Net Incomel Def icit Client income as % oftotal income Numberof dellvered sesslons Fiscal Year Total Expenditure Cllent Income Total Income 2425 £139,593 £145,584 (£5,991) £52,927 38% 2600 2324 £107,894 £141,747 1£33,8531 £17.623 16% 1850 2223 £123,918 £102,954 £20,964 £27,242 22% 1550 2122 £80.885 £85,930 1£5,0451 £23.891 30% 1150 2021 £86,877 £83,716 £3.161 £23,741 27 1600 1920 £105,177 £93.999 £11,178 £51,814 49% 2350 18 19 £103,080 £101,067 £2.013 £43,764 42% unknown ci i￿. Cash flow/income continues to be our main risk. Structure, Governance and Management Connect is a ch8rit8ble trust and its governing document is a trust deed. Connect is administered bythe Trustees, who continue to have regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. Trustees are appointed by the Board of Trustees. The CEO attends the meetings. AddttI￿._COnneCt abides by both the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. 88 well as the Association of Christian Counsellors {ACC) Administrative Detalls Names of the charltytrustees who manage the charlty Name Role Dates acted if not full year Alison de Winter Andreas Sistig Rev MikeThom8son Rob Jackson Ines Banos Jade Horan Charles Garraway Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Chair Trustee pointed 16th July2024 Appointed 31stJ8nuary 2025 Retired as trustee at AGM, 5th November 2024 Stepped down es trustee 27th November 2024 Pippa Ford Trustee Name ofCEO Carolyn Nahajski Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above igned on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature Full Name Position Date Alison de Winter Andreas Sistig Trustee Trustee CONNECT COUNSELLING SERVICE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR TO 31ST MARCH 2025 Unrestrictsd Restricted Total Funds Total Funds Note Funds Funds 2,025 2024 INCOME Donatlons and lega¢le8 Donations, grants and similar funding Client Income 62,809 52,927 10.499 73,308 52,927 78,641 17,624 Charftable actlvltl88 External training income 305 Other trading activities- fundraising 6,094 6,094 3,372 Room rental Investment income- Bank Interest 7,208 57 7,207 57 7,075 877 129 094 10,499 139 593 EXPENDITURE Ralslng funds salary costs premises costs - fundraising costs training expenditure telephone 9,081 1,098 205 9,081 1,098 205 5,134 966 1.917 1,070 212 9,289 10,384 10,384 Charltsble aclivitios - counselling session fees and expenses - service provision - support costs 706 72.865 707 95,162 39,331 135.200 4,387 64,835 63 236 132,458 22,297 111,402 23,797 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 121787 141,747 NET INCOME IEXPENDITURE) 7,307 (13,298) 5,991 {33.853) Balances brought forward at 1 April 2024 10 43,819 14,046 57,865 91,718 Balances ￿rrIed for¥vard at 31 March 2026 11 51,126 748 51,874 57,865 CONNECT COUNSELLING SERVICE BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025 Notes 2025 2024 FIXED ASSETS.. Fixtures, fittings and equipment 3,781 6,307 CURRENT ASSETS: Debtors and prepayments 22,479 9,706 Balances at bank Cash in hand 30,522 20 53,021 46,743 56,478 LESS CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year Creditors and accruals 4,928 4,920 4,928 NET CURRENT ASSETS 4,920 48,093 51,558 NET ASSETS Represented by.. FUNDS R•$trlcted fund8 10 748 14,048 Unrestrfctod funds Total charity funds 11 43,819 57 865 CONNECT COUNSELLING SERVICE Notes to the Accounts for the Year to 31. March 2025 1. Ac¢ounting Pollcles General The financial ststements have been prepared on an accruals basis in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice.. Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Pradice as It applles from 1 January 2019. Connect Counselllng ServiGe meets the definition of a public benefft entity under FRS 102. Assets and Ilabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise slated in the relevant accounting pollcy. The Financial statements have been prepared to glve 8 Irue and falr vl8W and have deviated from the Charitie5 (AcGounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only lo the extent required to provlde a Yrue and fair view,. Thls departure has Involved followSng 'Accounting and Reporting By Charlties: Statement of Recommended PraCt￿e applicable to Charities preparing th8ir accounts In accordance with FRS 102 Second Edition rath8r than accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statemenl ot Recommended Pradice effective from 1 April 2005 vthich w8s wlthdrawn. Income Donallons under Glft Ald, together with the associated Income tax recovery, are ￿CognISed as Income when Ihe donation 1$ received. Grants are recognlsed when the charlty has an enlltlement to the funds and any condltlons linked to the grants have been met. Expendlturg Expenditure Is charged on an accruals basis. Govemance costs are those associated with compliance with constitutional and statutory requirèments. Thls Includes the Independent Ex8mination fee. Penslon costs The charty conlribules to a money purchase scheme on beh8lf of Its employees. The $¢heme Is managed by True Potential. Apportlonment of ¢0818 Certaln office 8nd salary cost8 have been apportloned bebNeen service provlslon and support costs based on trustees, estimate of use of the office and tlme spent by slaff. Operallng lea8e8 Rentals paid under operating leases are charged on a 5traighl line basis under the tems of the lease. Flxed Assets Assets purchased with a value greater than £750 are caprtalised. This Is the new rate of capitslisation which applies from 01104124 Computer hardware Fumiiure 339/0 on cost 250/4 on cost Debtor8 Debtors are ￿corded at their recoverable amount - that is the amount that it is antlclpated will be recelved, or the amount that has been pald in advan￿ ft)r goods or services. Credltorn Creditors are measured at historic cost and are held at settlement amount net of any discounts. Flnancial Instruments The charitys financial assets and liabilities qualify as ba$1¢ financial instruments and as such are initialty recorded at cash, transa¢tion or settlement value. Subsequently, current assets and liabilities are measured at cash or settlement value. Funds General funds represent funds of the SÈNI￿ that are not subject to any restriction regarding their use and are available for Donab'ons and grants given for specific purposes are treated as restricted funds and are used in the way intended by the donor. Going Concern The trustees have considered going concern up to one year from the date of signing these accounts. Based C￿ a review of forecasts and budgets the trustees believe there are sufficient reserves for the foreseeable future. Estimats and Judgements In prèparing the financial ststements it is necessary to make certain judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts recognised in th6 financial statements. There are no areas of critic81 estimate or significant judgements that affects the preparation of these financial statements. CONNECT COUNSELLING SERVICE Notss to the Accpunts for tho Year lo 31st March 2025 2. Income from grants and donatlons Unre$tri¢ted Rostrlcted Total Funds Tolal Fund8 Funds Funds 2025 2024 DonatiorL8 Grants 62,309 62,308.6 10,999.0 73.307.6 48,528 30,113 78.641 10.499 10,499 62.809 3. Service provl8lon Unrestricted Regtrlcted Funds Fund8 Totsl Fund8 Totsl Funds 2025 2024 Counselling supèNision Hardship donation Salary costs Training costs Oth8r fe8S Pffjmises costs Office suppli88 Publicity Depreciatlon Telephone 1,345 21,779 23,124.0 19,410 53,060 53,060.4 23,885 735 15,370 1.081 15,370.5 1,D81.0 13,379 2,305 1,968 2,515 638 2,008 518 2,526.2 72,865 95 162.1 4. Support ¢08ts Unre8trfctsd Regtrlctod Fund8 Fund8 Tolal Fund8 Total Fund8 2026 2024 Salary costs Recruitment Consultancy Other fees Premises Costs IT Telephone B8nk charge Sundries Accountancy Govemance- Independent ex8minels fee 22.001 22,001.2 38,437 292 7,390 2,429 4,778 1,433 567 393 1.164 4,853 2,499 5,489 3,095 2,499.0 5,489.5 4,594.9 1.5CN) 998 1,041 2,708 998.3 1,041.1 2,707.5 500 39 331.4 63,236 Support costs are charged in full to the charitable activities. Operating lease costs were £16,50012024..16,500) 6. Employees. Remuneration 2026 2,024.0 Gross salaries Employer Pension Contributions 81,075 2,486 66,851.0 1.252.0 68,103.0 The average number of paid staff for the year were 6 part-time employees (2024 - 3 part-time}. No staff member received remuneration in excess of £60,0¢)O. Due to the size of th8 organisation, all staff are considered to be key management personnel. 6. Trustees. Remuneration and Exponses None of thé Trustees (or any persons conncled with them) re￿iVed 8ny remuneration or benefits from the charity the year, and no expenses were claimed. CONNECT COUNSELLING SERVICE Notes to the Accounts for the Year to 31st March 2025 7. Fixed Assets - Tangible Assets Fixtures, fittings and equipment Cost 1 st April 2024 Additions Disposals 31st March 2025 12,556 1,546 11,010 Depreclatlon 1st April 2024 Disposals Charge for the year 31st March 2025 6,249 1,546 2,526 7,229 N•t Book Values At 31st March 2025 At 31st March 2024 8. Debtors 2025 2024 Trade Debtors Prepayments Accrued Income 960 714 20.805 670 8,176 9. Credltor6 2025 2024 Trade Creditors Accruals Other Creditors 802 710 3.416 1,911 2,570 440 10. Restricted Funds Sparks Frlmley Fuel Surrey Heath Frlmley ICB Total Balance at 1 st April 2023 Funds Received in the year Funds Used in the year Balance at 1 st April 2024 Funds Received in the year Funds Used in the year Balance at 31st March 2025 9,800 1,283 11,083 1,992 1,992 12,020 12,780 (517 1,266 {14,529 14,046 4,000 (16,780) 1,500 4,999 10,499 (2,018) 748 (4,999) (23,797) CONNECT COUNSELLING SERVICE Notes to the Accounts for the Year to 318t March 2025 10. Restricted Funds (cont'd) ICB Fund was fully utilised against counselling sessions for clients in the Rushmoor & Hart district postcode area. Frimley Fuel Allotments fund is used against counselling sessions for clients in the GU151GU16 postcode Surrey Heath Council has been used for purchasing two desktop computers, other furniture costs and related depreciation will be retained. 11. Analysis of Net Assets by Funds 2025 2024 Unrestrictad Restrictsd funds fund8 Total Unre8trlcted Restricted funds funds Total Fixed Assets Current Assets Current Liabilities 3,081 52,273 4,928 700 748 3,781 53,021 4.928 5,089 43,650 4.920 1,218 12,828 6,307 56,478 4,920 10 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Connect Counselling Serrfice On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 Charity no (if any) 1042852 Set out on pages 4t010 l ￿port to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (°the Trust") for the year ended 31.03.2025. Responslbllltle8 and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {"the Act'}. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of Ihe Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Ind8pand8nt examiner's statsment I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not 8ppIy. Signed: Date: 13th January 2026 Name: Jenny James Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (If any): NIA Address: 84 The Maultway Camberley GU15 1QF IER October 2018 Section È Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlighl matters of con￿rn (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. None IER October 2018